Friday, 30 December 2016

Setting Realistic New Years Resolutions

With 2017 drawing ever closer, it's got me thinking about those dreaded new years resolutions. New year, new you? It's starting to sound a bit like a broken record don't you think? If I had a penny for every time I've heard someone say that I'd probably be rich by now. With that said, I do get it. The start of a new year can feel like the push some may need to make a real change. Granted this can be a good motivator but surely it shouldn't take a new year to elicit such change?!

Whilst there are a few things I would like to focus on in 2017, I won't be setting myself any unrealistic new year goals but instead focus on improving what I'm currently doing. Life isn't about being hard on yourself or beating yourself up for not meeting those resolutions you set yourself but didn't meet. Rather, it should be about enjoying and living each day to the fullest which in itself can be hard enough to do. From fashion to fitness, read what realistic goals I'll be setting myself to kick start 2017 and hopefully a better me. After all, new years resolutions should be put in place with the intention of being achieved. Wouldn't you agree?

1. Take my blog to the next level

As our jobs consume so much of our time, it's natural to want to be career driven. Blogging on a more or less full time basis for just over a year now, I'm excited about what 2017 may bring. Whilst I'm still a very small fish in a very big pond when it comes to the world of blogging, I have seen myself grow both personally and professionally within the past year. Whilst I am both happy and grateful with my where I am, I would be lying if I said I wasn't aiming for bigger and better things. Setting realistic goals will enable me to achieve all the things on my to-do list. This also applies to any line of work. Having a good idea in your head of what needs to be done will allow you to focus on achieving those work based goals, whatever they may be. Upon reflection, I've noted what hasn't worked for me or has been more of a time wasting experience which will help me to make better business decisions for 2017. I've definitely learn't to manage my time better and know when to say no and not feel bad about doing so either.

2. Think positively

As simple as this sounds, having a positive outlook can often lead to more positivity in your life. Ever heard of the saying 'always look on the bright side of life'? Well I want to sprinkle positivity everywhere because quite frankly there's too much negativity in the world and it's making for quite a depressing place. For 2017, I'm going to make more of a conscious effort to focus on being more positive and believing that good things will happen.

3. Make more time for friends and family

In June of this year, I lost my grandad to cancer and it made me realise how precious time is. With that said, I know we all lead busy and hectic lives but I do regret not having had more time with him. With Christmas being a time for family, it made me realise that perhaps it becomes a little too easy to take them for grated, without even realising. I have a close circle of family and friends who are all so amazing and supportive of what I do, so it's one of my new years resolutions to spend more time in their company in 2017.

4. Focus on achieving my health and fitness goals

I've always been moderately into fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle but I've always liked to treat myself too. Some even call me the dessert queen because I would happily choose a dessert over a main any day. With Christmas over and the three day food coma finally behind me, I want to focus on getting into the best shape possible. With a combination of regular exercise and healthy eating as well as the occasional treat (because it's a realistic resolution after all) I hope to feel beach ready and dare I say comfortable in my own skin on my next holiday. Admittedly, this might need to be combined with a confidence boost but I think the two go hand in hand.

5. Travel more

In the past two years, I have probably travelled more than I have in my whole life. There is something about being away from London and by the water that makes you feel totally care free. Travelling in itself can be extremely liberating and there's no greater feeling than finding somewhere beautiful and exploring the incredible culture that it has to offer. I'm not talking about a Thomson's 18-30's package holiday either but a real travelling experience. Some of the destinations on my bucket list include South America, The Maldives, Australia (again) and other parts of South East Asia. Whilst travelling and holidays generally can be expensive, it's the only thing you can buy that makes you rich. It's such a blessing we often take for granted and it has taught me more about my life, myself and whom I want to be. More so than anything else I have done which is why I vow to do more travelling. You also only live once and life's too short to not enjoy yourself. It's only money after all, you can't take it with you.

So there you have it, five new years resolutions that I hope to have achieved by this time next year. As far as new years resolutions go I think they are all pretty achievable. I would love to know yours and how you plan on achieving your goals for 2017.

6 comments

These all sound great! I absolutely agree about travel, this year I was lucky enough to visit Hong Kong, Macau, Tokyo and I'm currently in the USA over Christmas and new year! I'm hoping to reach another saving milestone next year for buying our first home together, but with some more travels thrown in along the way!